Spirit People (2024)

Twice a year, Theater a/d Rijn invites artist and programmer Richard Kofi to curate special program nights. During Black Achievement Month, he took over the entire theater with Spirit People, an immersive event exploring the intersection of art and spirituality. Together with six artists, Kofi delved into the idea of artists as mediums—how do they transform ideas from nature and the spiritual world into artistic expression? Through performances and lectures, the audience embarked on a journey that blurred the boundaries between art and spirituality.

For this first edition, Richard Kofi invited six artists: choreographer and dancer Junadry Leocaria, choreographer and dancer Christian Guerematchi, DJ and music artist Suus te Braak a.k.a. DJ Hizzle, performance artist Kate Donkor a.k.a. Oshunmare, and theater makers Nelgina Khensani van Leeuwen and Nina Baboyoma Kunst.

The artists drew inspiration from the concept of non-alignment. During the Cold War, a coalition of countries refused to align with the dominant power blocs of the West and the Soviet Union—this became known as the Non-Aligned Movement. In that same spirit, the artists embraced an independent stance, rejecting expectations and trends. Here, non-alignment symbolized artistic freedom: breaking away from existing systems and developing new forms of identity, expression, and creativity. The event posed an essential question—what happens when artists free themselves from dominant thought patterns and move intuitively, guided by their inner visions?

The Performances

- Junadry Leocaria explored the presence of Afro-Caribbean and Indonesian water spirits in *La Sirene.

- Christian Guerematchi embodied his alter ego *Blaq Tito*, a performance linking his Black identity to the legacy of former Yugoslavian dictator Josip Broz Tito.

- Suus te Braak a.k.a. DJ Hizzle provided the musical journey for Blaq Tito, guiding the audience through the gateways to the afterlife.

- Kate Donkor a.k.a. Oshunmare merged electronic music, punk, and Afrofuturism into bold, colorful performances.

- Nelgina Khensani van Leeuwen and Nina Baboyoma Kunst, two emerging theater makers, contributed fresh and dynamic perspectives to the evening.

Shout out to Kinke Kooi for inspiring me with her statements on 'the artist as a medium'.

Black Achievement Month at Theater a/d Rijn

Black Achievement Month is an annual festival in October that highlights the exceptional talents of people with African roots. The theme for the 9th edition was “New Generations.”

Theater a/d Rijn presented a diverse program featuring a new generation of makers. These bold voices brought deeply personal and socially relevant stories to the stage:

- Sue-Ann Bel, winner of the BNG Bank Theater Prize, created space for her voice in Bitemarks on her Tongue. Through layers of sound and storytelling, she peeled back her scream to uncover the longing beneath—a yearning for safety in an unpredictable world.

- Junadry Leocaria and her father, former professional dancer Candido Maduro, performed Mi Pret’i Wowo, an intimate duet exploring the complexity of their father-daughter relationship, seeking connection and healing.

- Richard Kofi transformed the entire theater with Spirit People, inviting six artists to create an evening of performances, music, and storytelling that explored the boundaries of art and spirituality.

- Wensley Piqué closed the month with his latest production ODO. Using models, overhead projectors, sand art, live cinema, and immersive soundscapes, he visualized his encounter with a deeply nature-connected community in the Surinamese interior. Through their stories, he traced the historical context of transatlantic slavery, abduction from Africa, escape, resistance, and resilience.

Program Recap

- Fri, Oct 18, 20:00 – Bitemarks on her Tongue by Sue-Ann Bel

- Mon, Oct 21, 20:00 – Mi Pret’I Wowo by Junadry Leocaria

- Tue, Oct 29, 20:00 – Spirit People by Richard Kofi ft. various artists

- Wed, Oct 30 & Thu, Oct 31, 20:00 – ODO by Wensley Piqué

With its powerful performances and urgent themes, this year’s Black Achievement Month at Theater a/d Rijn proved to be a space for reflection, transformation, and artistic freedom.